Wanted: A bike, cheap ;)

[Jase W]

I'm after a bike, but I only have about $500 to spend, so it cant be anything flash (well it can be, aslong as you only want $500 for it :P). Anything considered really. Would prefer to be 250 or above but beggars cant be choosers hehe.

Cheers

[Posh Tourer :P]

How much are you planning on spending to get it roadworthy?

[Blakamin]

I'm after a bike, but I only have about $500 to spend, so it cant be anything flash (well it can be, aslong as you only want $500 for it :P). Anything considered really. Would prefer to be 250 or above but beggars cant be choosers hehe.

Cheers
At that price, I would be suggesting a Mongoose... actually they're over $500... um.... warehouse might sort ya for a treadly...


seriously tho... anything in that price range will either be "the bargain of the century" or a complete piece of shite that will cost you $$$$$$$$$$$ in its first month of ownership (without even being on the road)

[Jase W]

Even a smaller bike like a 125 or something?

[Blakamin]

Even a smaller bike like a 125 or something?
had a look on trade me?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-17882802.htm
Something like this if you can get some extra $$

[kerryg]

I'm after a bike, but I only have about $500 to spend, so it cant be anything flash (well it can be, aslong as you only want $500 for it :P). Anything considered really. Would prefer to be 250 or above but beggars cant be choosers hehe.

Cheers


As someone said " be careful what you wish for, 'cos you might just get it". You will really need to be looking at old, small and shabby for that kind of investment unless you are very lucky and fluke something. When it can cost that much for a decent service or a couple of tyres you don't get much motorbike. Set your sights on raising $1000 or so and you'll have a lot more choices.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Even a smaller bike like a 125 or something?

Just sold a good CB125T 1980 for $1400 with a new warrant. Twas in good condition, but thats the prices.

$500 would get you an old 50cc scooter, but even an old GN125 will be closer to $700 or $800 for anything roadworthy, and you'd be lucky to find one....

I have bought two bikes cheaply and both cost around $1000. Both ran well after some minor repairs and tweaking. I'd suggest $1000, and then you won't have so much hassle with constant repairs to a heap of shit (if you choose carefully)

[Posh Tourer :P]

had a look on trade me?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-17882802.htm
Something like this if you can get some extra $$

Even that, if you buy it for $500, puts you up for an immediate $250 for rego, and then also the cost of exhaust system and brake disc (Perhaps $200?), so you still dont get change out of $1000

[Blakamin]

Even that, if you buy it for $500, puts you up for an immediate $250 for rego, and then also the cost of exhaust system and brake disc (Perhaps $200?), so you still dont get change out of $1000
Too true... no such thing as a cheap bike!

[edit] there IS, but only if you want a project/ornament!

[Kickaha]

even if you buy it for $500, puts you up for an immediate $250 for rego, and then also the cost of exhaust system and brake disc (Perhaps $200?), so you still dont get change out of $1000

Bought my XJ550 from trademe for $400,by the time I had done tyres,steering head bearings,changed brake pad and replaced the brake fluid,done the rego and wof the figures looked exactly like those

[Ghost Lemur]

Contary to the popular belief here, it is possible to pick up a wof'd/reg'd bike for around that price. So long as you're not in a hurry.

You should be able to pick up an 80-83 cbr250rs/gn250/etc for about that, maybe up to $800. Don't expect to be able to at the moment though as it's summer so bikes are in demand and therefore incurring higher $$$. In the off season though you'll have better luck.

[Posh Tourer :P]

It may be wof'd and rego'd, but it is unlikely to last very long.....A bike bought for $500, unless you find a desparate seller, is likely to have some issue that is costly to fix....

[dhunt]

I've seen Suzuki AX100's go for about $400 or less for oldesh ones and they are still a reasonable bike.

[Posh Tourer :P]

They are almost step-thrus though...

Even the CB125 is a marginal bike/scooter

I mean you could probably pick up a CT110 (just make sure you dont get TS's ex one) for pretty cheap, it just depends what you are prepared to ride.

I suspect we are all fixated on the assumption that a larger looking "bike" is required, that'll be able to hold its own on a motorway, rather than any two-wheeled transport...

[dhunt]

They are almost step-thrus though...

Even the CB125 is a marginal bike/scooter

I mean you could probably pick up a CT110 (just make sure you dont get TS's ex one) for pretty cheap, it just depends what you are prepared to ride.

I suspect we are all fixated on the assumption that a larger looking "bike" is required, that'll be able to hold its own on a motorway, rather than any two-wheeled transport...
No the're a proper bike, two smoke with a 4 speed gear box If I remeber right and can do 100km/h

<IMG SRC="http://us.jincheng.com/moto/ax100.gif">

[Drunken Monkey]

I assume you already have gear? If not, on that kind of shoe-string budget I hope you're not planning on buying a 2nd hand ffm helmet and start riding in jeans, work shoes and your unworn for several years "omfg I can't beleive I used to like Michael Jackson" leather jacket.
Best advice dished out from this site = don't even think about getting bike unless you can afford proper gear.

(Actually I think the best advice dished out from this site was:
"Resist the urge to open the oven door and peek for at least the first 25 minutes of the baking time for a full-sized souffle." )

[Jase W]

Hmm i guess i was being a bit optimistic in my assumption that I could get something decent for $500. I might look into financing something decent, saving takes too long :P

[vifferman]

Hmm i guess i was being a bit optimistic in my assumption that I could get something decent for $500. I might look into financing something decent, saving takes too long :PMy cheapest bike was free (FREE! Nada! Zip! Zero! etc etc...)
However, I spent days stripping it down, rebuilding and painting it, and the few parts I bought (tyres, spraycans of paint, sandpaper, etc.) cost me $600. I also got some critical engine work (valve grind) done for free. That was over 10 years ago, and didn't include buying any gear, registration ($280?), insurance, WOF, etc etc.
Decent gear on its own will run to in excess of $500, so I'd budget on having $1000 plus the cost of a road-worthy AND reliable bike, unless you're a competent mechanic / DIYer.

[Blakamin]

Hmm i guess i was being a bit optimistic in my assumption that I could get something decent for $500. I might look into financing something decent, saving takes too long :P
Do a search for financing in the forum.... unless you are getting a big, fancy bike... not worth the stress

[liferocks]

Well its not impossible. I got my first bike, a gn250 about an '86 i think, for only $600, and it was a great bike, but then come to think of it I sold it for $900. So I must have got a bargin. :niceone: But just keep looking. :mellow:

[Posh Tourer :P]

No the're a proper bike, two smoke with a 4 speed gear box If I remeber right and can do 100km/h

Yep, aware of what they are. Still an incredibly small bike, like the CB125. Both do 100kmh screaming along in top gear. The CB is a four stroke, 130 is quite an achievement for a 1980 125cc four-stroke twin :devil2: It does it downhill, topping out.

Neither of them is any good if you want to get out of the city. I took the CB from Hillsborough down to Karaka, and it screamed along the motorway at 10,500 rpm at 110. Amazingly it didnt sound rough when it got there, sat back and idled perfectly. I wouldnt want to take it ANY further than that....

[Posh Tourer :P]

Well its not impossible. I got my first bike, a gn250 about an '86 i think, for only $600, and it was a great bike, but then come to think of it I sold it for $900. So I must have got a bargin. :niceone: But just keep looking. :mellow:

True, they are out there. Gotta be VERY careful about what you buy though, and it sounds like you were lucky....